Saudi women's channel hopes to dissolve stereotypes

Abdullah Al-Nazawi, the board chairman, launched the channel on Saturday in the presence of Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja and Riyaz bin Kamal, president of the General Authority to regulate the audio-visual media.

By Fouzia Khan

Come Thursday, Saudi Arabia will be boasting of having an exclusive satellite channel for women which will not only serve as a platform for Saudi women to showcase their talent and capabilities but also help clear misconceptions about Arab women abroad.

Abdullah Al-Nazawi, the board chairman, launched the channel on Saturday in the presence of Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja and Riyaz bin Kamal, president of the General Authority to regulate the audio-visual media.

Al-Nazawi said this female-dominated TV satellite channel will project the positive aspects of women’s lives in the Kingdom and will also help in changing the stereotype attributed to Arab and Muslim women.

“The objective of the channel is to highlight the skills, traditions, culture, education, Islamic thought and problems facing Arab women in general and Saudi women in particular. The channel will fully conform to Islamic law and will help raise awareness levels among women,” he said.

Al-Nazawi said it would also feature programs which would explore women’s aspirational needs. The content of the programs will cover a wide range of topics including legitimate software, intellectual, scientific, cultural, political, social, psychological, economic, technical, administrative, educational, medical and other areas related to women’s lives.

“We are fully confident that this TV channel will help our women in polishing their lives and understanding modern terms. Women are part of our society and lives and we can’t ignore them and their needs.”

The channel will also project a positive image of the country. The channel will hire experts and professionals to ensure that the best is brought out of Saudi women.